Cheap Weekend Getaway near Manila

While stress is slowly eating all my positive energies, I decided to look for a place where I can unwind and release my frustrations. With my best friend “Google”, I was able to find a place near Manila where I can make all this things happen - San Rafael River Adventure. I checked their website http://sanrafaelriveradventure.com/, and I find the look and feel of it as somewhat surreal, so I went on checking the availability of the huts and luckily I was able to reserve a slot for 4. Their mode of payment is thru bank deposit, you can either pay for the 50% downpayment or pay it in full if you wish to. Just email the snapshot of your deposit slip and afterwards, you’ll receive a confirmation email.

The weekend getaway day has finally arrived, we decided to meet up at Cubao. Since Cubao has a lot of bus terminals we simply looked for a bus bound for Baliuag, Bulacan. Our landmark is SM Baliuag and the fare is around 128 pesos. The travel time depends on the traffic, but for us we were able to reach Baliuag in just an hour because it’s Sunday, there’s not much of a traffic.

We alighted at SM Baliuag, we’re new to the place so we asked around how to get to San Rafael. The tricycle drivers told us that they could take us to the SRRA, that’s when haggling comes in. We were able to haggle for 500 peso fare for 4 pax, I don’t think that’s cheap enough, but for the sake of compassion, we gave it a deal. The tricycle driver gave us a heads up that SRRA is a bit far, so we decided to buy for our lunch because we’re 100% sure that we will be hungry by the time we arrive at the place. We let Kuya (referring to the tricycle driver) help us find Chooks-to-go, he was kind enough to ask around where we can buy one. We found one but we waited for a bit because the chicken is still being cooked, so we went down and looked for a store where we can buy the utensils, so we could just eat it the moment we arrive at SRRA. Finally, when the chicken was cooked we went on to our way to SRRA. It took us almost an hour before we arrived at SRRA, kuya was right it was a bit far.

📷 Upon arrival, we went to their reception area and we were offered a welcome drink - a cucumber juice, it was a good refreshment, and then, we waited for the staff who’ll take us to our hut. The Day tour that we reserved was inclusive of Free Kubo Cottage, Infinity Pool Access, Free use of Kayak or Paddle Board and floating pool access.

We decided to eat before continuing our adventure. After that, we left our things at the hut and we’re all set to go for Kayaking/Paddle Boarding. Hooray! I was very excited because it will be my first time. I chose the paddle board because I think it’s better than the Kayak. I let my friends go first, I don’t want to be the first one because I’m a little bit nervous. When we stepped on our paddle board we were instructed to sit down first because we might fall easily if we stand immediately. I was watching my friend slowly stand up and was laughing at them that their having a hard time, and when it’s finally my turn, my goodness, I was also having a trouble balancing myself and so I sat down again :D That’s what I get laughing at my friends. Haha. When I finally had the courage to do it again, I slowly stand up. Hooray! I did it. Then I went on challenging my friends for a race, the wind was getting stronger and we were slowly going farther away from the resort. It’s hard to paddle back because we are against the direction of the wind, that’s when the staffs came to rescue :D HAHA it’s funny because they used a speed boat and tied our paddle boards around it, and just like that, we were being pulled by the speed boat as we go back to the resort, it was so much fun actually and we’re laughing at ourselves.

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After that funny and fun adventure we decided to order some food for our lunch. We ordered Inihaw na Tilapia - 200

Inihaw na Liempo - 160

Sapin-sapin - 250

Halo-halo - 200

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While waiting for our orders to be served, we went for a swimming. It’s not that deep but for someone like me, who’s afraid of not being able to reach the pool’s floor, just stay on the shallow part of the pool, float around and try to enjoy yourself. The pool’s shape is infinity and in the middle of it, is a jacuzzi-looking small pool, and that’s the best place for me, because I won’t get drown there. Haha.

📷 When our order arrived, we jump out of the pool and washed our hands. We were a little bit hungry that’s why in a couple of minutes, we were able to finish and eat everything. The food tasted great and we loved it, especially the sapin-sapin. It was as large a regular-sized pizza we weren’t expecting it to be that big, so we brought home some of it. Now, continuing our adventure, we decided to go for an ATV adventure. We head back to the activity area and started the ATV engines. The staffs were teaching us how to do it and I was only observing them but I’m a little bit nervous. They shut down my ATV’s engine and told me to give it a try, I was hesitant at first, but when I saw my friends having fun running around the area, I got excited. I started the engine and there I was, running after them and boasting that I can drive it with one hand. Haha. The adventurous me, has been awaken. We strolled around the resort and were really enjoying it. We didn’t notice that the time’s passing by so fast, 30 minutes is almost over, and so before it’s over we took photos, videos and even raced back to the activity area. That was the best feeling ever! 📷📷📷📷 Next adventure, the banana boat ride. We wore our life vests and headed straight to the activity area, now all set and we were about to be pulled by the speed boat. The activity started and the speed boat slowly increases its speed and there we are, screaming for our life. Haha. But it’s not because we’re scared but because we’re really having so much fun and enjoying the ride as it goes faster and faster until the activity is almost over. When we reached the docking area, we stand up on the banana boat and took our bow, thanking the staffs who made our day so great. Before the day ends, we decided to try the floating slide and took videos while one on one we go sliding. That was one of the funniest video I had in my life. HAHAHA :D

📷 Time is passing by so fast, the day tour is almost over, and so, we started taking our showers and took photos around the place. We had so much fun and adventure at San Rafael River Adventure, and with that, I highly recommend it. Next time, I would definitely book one of their glass cottages. We will be back! We checked out around 6:00 PM and paid for the food and activities that we tried. After that, we told them that we need a tricycle back to Baliuag or to the bus terminal. The staffs there was kind enough to go and get someone who’ll get us to the terminal. Upon arrival at the terminal, the bus was about to leave, and we’re lucky that we were able to catch up, and that ends our day tour at San Rafael River Adventure. Now, back to reality. Breakdown of Expenses: Bus to Baliaug(RT) - 128 x 2/pax 256

Trike to SRRA - 300/4 pax 75

Utensils - 136/4 34 Rice - 40/4 10 Drinks - 150/4 37.5 Sapin-sapin - 250/4 62.5

Inihaw na Tilapia - 200/4 50 Inihaw na Liempo - 160/4 40

Halo-halo - 200/4 pax 50

ATV Ride - 400/pax

Banana Boat - 300/pax

Trike to Bus terminal - 300/2 pax 150

SRRA Day Tour - 3000/ 4 pax 750

TOTAL: 2215/pax